Vivanne Knebel – Lessons Learned about Life and Love

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest interview on the Women Living Well After 50 podcast, with my guest, Vivanne Knebel. A gracious and interesting woman who has lived an extraordinary life which is now a feature film.

During the interview we discussed:

• Her early childhood in height of WWII in Germany
• Moving to Canada as a teen
• Overcoming hardships
• Always finding in the beauty in everything – a lesson she learned from her Mother.

Vivanne was a delight and such an inspiration for me and I know you will enjoy listening to her story.

Vivanne always asks:

What can I do here? Rather than what can someone do for me?

Vivanne Knebel

Listen to the Podcast

Watch on YouTube

The new documentary film “An Unimportant Girl” is the remarkable story of Vivianne Knebel’s journey from despair to gratitude. Based on her memoir, “From Rubble To Champagne,” which has been featured in both the local and national media, “An Unimportant Girl” tells Vivianne’s story. Born illegitimate in 1943 in the epicenter of Nazi power, Berlin, Germany, Vivianne’s free-spirited and strong-willed mother, Marija, fought to keep her alive among falling bombs and Soviet attacks. After the end of World War II, with much of Berlin razed to the ground, Vivianne came to know poverty and constant hunger. As a teenager, she immigrated to Canada, but in her new homeland, times became so desperate that she had to beg for money to eat. After dropping out of school to find work, Vivianne became the victim of sexual harassment. Spiraling into depression, she attempted to take her life but was miraculously saved by a six-year-old child. “An Unimportant Girl,” tells a story of challenges overcome and a life fully lived.

For more info on her film please visit https://anunimportantgirl.com/

Meet Vivanne

Born an illegitimate child in the wake of WWII in Berlin, Nazi Germany to a single mother, Vivianne Knebel’s options were limited and her future looked bleak. She experienced poverty, cold, and hunger, and was even driven to the point of commiting suicide. To seek out a better life, Vivianne immigrated to Canada as a teenager, but her misfortunes did not end there. However, in response to a miraculous intervention, she decided to preserve her life and keep moving forward.

After this incident, Vivianne met a fellow German immigrant, Wiland, who eventually became her husband. But even more than that, he became a catalyst for change in her life. His belief in her is what helped her see the true, immeasurable value of her life. She went on to play a key role in Wiland’s business venture and together they built a better future for each other. 

Since then, Vivianne has run a marathon, learned to pilot a plane, and even beat cancer. She’s found a greater sense of spirituality and wants to share her story with the world, to remind people that there is always a reason to keep moving forward. 

Connect with Vivanne

Vivianne Knebel Website

*Vivianne’s new podcast, “Lessons Learned about Life and Love” can be heard at: Lesson’s Learned About Life And Love